SMPD Blue Santa Program provides gifts for families this holiday season
Sierra Martin | Managing Editor
SAN MARCOS – The San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) continues the tradition of bringing toys to families in need during the holiday season with their Blue Santa Operation.
Since 1973, SMPD collected donations and coordinated volunteers to present toys to over 1,500 children in the San Marcos area for Christmas. The SMPD Blue Santa Program is the largest holiday toy giveaway in San Marcos each year.
Laray Taylor, SMPD Officer and the SMPD Blue Santa Program organizer has been in charge of the operation for six years. Officer Taylor buys toys for the program year-round and has become an expert at finding great deals on engaging and interactive toys for the children that receive them.
Blue Santa is a 501c3 nonprofit that runs entirely on donations from the community. Officer Taylor and SMPD strive to provide quality toys that brighten up Christmas Day for families in need all over San Marcos. The program purchases 98% of the toys we distribute for Christmas.
“Kids are gonna open up our presents on Christmas Day. I want them to be happy and smiling and know they got something that’s really nice and fun to play with,” said Officer Taylor.
Taylor recalls many occasions where he is driving around the Central Texas metroplex with a suburban full of toys or walking through a store with six shopping carts full as he works to collect items for age groups from infant to 12-years-old.
“Toys that challenge their minds, make them think and they have to use their hands. Those are things that we’re looking at to give the kids,” said Taylor.
Over the past few years, with COVID-19 and supply chain issues, Blue Santa has developed innovative ways to provide Christmas gifts to San Marcos families.
To accommodate COVID-19 safety procedures, Blue Santa has begun a drive-through to distribute the toys to families, allowing people to stay in their cars and outside space. To combat the nationwide toy shortage, Officer Taylor has had to purchase new items in bulk earlier in the year to ensure a full stock of toys to distribute to families.
Families can fill out an application to receive gifts through Blue Santa, and each child on the application will receive two new high-quality toys.
“When that application is filled out, we want all the kids in your household,” said Officer Taylor. “It’s not just the child that receives the application. We’ll take care of your brothers and your sisters. So we provide for the entire family.”
This year, families participating in Blue Santa must pick up all gifts between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, at the San Marcos Premium Outlets, 3939 Interstate 35. Distribution will take place in Suite 800, next to James Avery.
Unlike previous years, toy donations cannot be accepted, but the public can still help by making a socially distant financial contribution at any time throughout the year. Donations will be accepted through PayPal, or check, which can be made out to:
The San Marcos Police Department
- 2300 Interstate 35 S
- San Marcos, TX 78666
- Attn. San Marcos CPAAA Blue Santa Account
All donated funds will be used to purchase toys.
